Name tag attachment

ABSTRACT

An attachment for name tags that is easily replaceable and a system of displaying additional information on name tags. The name tag includes at least one projection, and the attachment includes a corresponding cutout in the shape of the projection. The attachment can be secured to a name tag by a friction fit between the projection and the cutout. Likewise, the attachment can be easily removed by removing the projection from the cutout. As a result, the promotional information displayed on name tags can easily be changed by adding and removing attachments.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent applicationNo. 60/956,609, filed Aug. 17, 2007, and entitled “Name Tag Attachment,”the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to an attachment for name tags and toa system of displaying additional information on name tags. Morespecifically, the present invention involves an attachment for name tagsthat snaps onto the name tag so that the attachment is easily attachableand removable.

2. Brief Discussion of Related Art

Name tags, identification tags, and badges are often used in retailstores and other places of business to display employee names andpromotional information. A conventional name tag includes a frontdisplay surface having information printed or written thereon and a rearsurface having at least one attachment means for securing the name tagto an employee's uniform or clothing. The attachment means is typicallya safety pin, but magnets or adhesives can be used to secure the nametag.

Throughout the year, retail stores run different promotions, such asholiday specials or sales. To advertise the promotions, it isadvantageous to put the promotional information on employee name tags sothat customers are made aware of the promotion when they are greeted orotherwise interact with employees. For example, a name tag could includea drawing of Dracula to advertise a Halloween sale.

However, retail stores typically have a number of different promotionsand sales during the year. Consequently, the stores will have topurchase new name tags for each promotion to effectively advertise eachpromotion. As a result, advertising store promotions on employee nametags is costly. Such advertising is also ponderous, since employees areresponsible for a number of different name tags. Thus, there exists aneed for a system to efficiently advertise promotions or otherwisedisplay information on name tags.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to an attachment for name tags that iseasily replaceable and to a system of displaying additional informationon name tags. An attachment displaying promotional information or otheradditional information snaps onto a name tag or badge so that theattachment can be quickly attached or removed. As a result, additionalinformation can be displayed on a name tag so as to eliminate the needto have a different name tag design for each event or promotion.

The name tag includes at least one projection, and the attachmentincludes a corresponding cutout in the shape of the projection. Theattachment can be secured to a name tag by a friction fit between theprojection and the cutout. Likewise, the attachment can be easilyremoved by removing the projection from the cutout. As a result, thepromotional information displayed on name tags can easily be changed byadding and removing attachments.

In light of the name tag and attachment designs of the presentinvention, it is an object of the invention to provide an advertisingsystem that allows promotional information to be easily added toemployee name tags. It is a further object of the invention to providean advertising system wherein promotional information is easily changedand updated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the invention will be had with reference tothe attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front planar view of a name tag with an attachment securedthereto in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear planar view of the name tag and attachment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of the name tag and attachment of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a rear planar view of the name tag and an attachment of FIG. 1showing how the attachment fits onto the name tag;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a name tag withan attachment secured thereto;

FIG. 6 is a rear planar view of the name tag and attachment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top elevational view of the name tag and attachment of FIG.5; and

FIG. 8 is a rear planar view of the name tag and an attachment of FIG. 5showing how the attachment fits onto the name tag;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a name tag 10 includes a front surface 12 fordisplaying information, such as a store name, slogan, employee name, oremployee information, and a rear surface 14 having an attaching means 16for securing the name tag onto an employee's uniform or clothing. In apreferred embodiment, the attaching means 16 is a pin, such as a safetypin. However, any suitable attaching means, such as magnets or adhesive,or any combination of attaching means can be used.

In addition to the attaching means 16, the rear surface 14 of the nametag 10 includes a projection 18. The projection 18 preferably extends afew millimeters from the rear surface 14 and is an elongated ovularshape, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. However, the projection can be of anysuitable shape, size, or cross-section. Further, the projection 18 ispreferably integrally formed with the name tag 10, but the projectioncan be formed of any suitable material and attached to the name 10 viaany appropriate means.

The name tag 10 is preferably rectangular in shape so that the frontsurface 12 has sufficient surface area to display information. Further,the name tag 10 is preferably made from a lightweight, durable, plasticmaterial. However, the name tag 10 can be any size, shape, color, ormaterial.

An attachment 20 includes a front surface 22 for displaying information,such as promotional, advertising, sales, or seasonal information, and arear surface 24. The attachment 20 also preferably includes an area Athat corresponds to the shape of the name tag 10. As a result, when theattachment 20 is secured to the name tag 10, the area A will be locatedbehind and hidden by the name tag 10.

The attachment 20 further includes a first cutout 26 and a second cutout28. The shape of the first cutout 26 corresponds to the shape of theattaching means 16 of the name tag 10 so that when the attachment 20 issecured to the name tag 10, the attaching means project through or areotherwise accessible through the first cutout 26. The shape of thecutout 28 corresponds to the shape of the perimeter of the projection 18of the name tag 10 so that the projection 18 can be received within thecutout 28 to create a friction fit.

The attachment 20 can be made of any shape or design that has a frontsurface with sufficient surface area to display information. Forexample, the attachment 20 shown in FIGS. 1-4 is shaped like Dracula toadvertise a Halloween sale. The attachment is preferably made of alaminated paper material but any suitable material can be used.

To display additional information on the name tag 10, the attachment 20including the additional information is secured to the name tag 10. Tosecure the attachment 20 to the name tag 10, the rear surface 14 of thename tag 10 is aligned with the area A on the front surface 22 of theattachment so that the name tag 10 covers the area A. When the name tag10 is aligned with the area A, the first cut out 26 and the second cutout 28 of the attachment 20 are aligned with the attaching means 16 andthe projection 18, respectively.

The projection 18 is then pressed into the second cutout 28 so that theattachment 20 is secured to the name tag 10 via a friction fit. Once theattachment 20 is secured to the name tag 10, the attaching means 16projects through or is otherwise accessible through the first cutout 26so that the name tag 10 with the attachment 20 can be placed on anemployee's uniform or clothing. As a result, in light of the attachment20, customers are made aware of the promotion when they are greeted orotherwise interact with employees.

To remove the attachment 20 from the name tag 10, the projection 18 ispulled out of the second cutout 28 to release the friction fit. Once theattachment 20 is removed, the name tag 10 can be worn without anyattachment or another attachment can be added to display newinformation.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.5-8. A name tag 30 includes a front surface 32 for displayinginformation, such as a store name, slogan, employee name, or employeeinformation, and a rear surface 34 having an attaching means 36 forsecuring the name tag onto an employee's uniform or clothing. In apreferred embodiment, the attaching means 36 is a pin, such as a safetypin. However, any suitable attaching means, such as magnets or adhesive,or any combination of attaching means can be used.

In addition to the attaching means 36, the rear surface 34 of the nametag 30 includes two projections 38A and 38B. The projections 38A and 38preferably extend a few millimeters from the rear surface 34 and have around shape, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. However, the projections can beof any suitable shape, size, or cross-section. Further, the projections38A and 38B are preferably integrally formed with the name tag 30, butthe projections can be formed of any suitable material and attached tothe name 30 via any appropriate means.

An attachment 40 includes a front surface 42 for displaying information,such as promotional, advertising, sales, or seasonal information, and arear surface 44. The attachment 40 further includes cutouts 48A and 48B.The shapes of the cutouts 48A and 48B correspond to the shapes of theperimeters of the projections 38A and 38B, respectively, so that theprojections 38A and 38B can be received within the cutouts 48A and 48B,respectively to create a friction fit.

Similar to the name tag 10, the name tag 30 is preferably rectangular inshape so that the front surface 32 has sufficient surface area todisplay information. Further, the name tag 30 is preferably made from alightweight, durable, plastic material. However, the name tag 30 can beany size, shape, color, or material. Similar to the attachment 20, theattachment 40 can be made of any shape or design that has a frontsurface with sufficient surface area to display information.

To display additional information on the name tag 30, the attachment 40including the additional information is secured to the name tag 30. Tosecure the attachment 40 to the name tag 40, the cutouts 48A and 48B arealigned with the projections 38A and 38B respectively. The projections38A and 38B are then pressed into the second cutouts 48A and 48B so thatthe attachment 40 is secured to the name tag 30 via friction fitsbetween the projection 38A and the cutout 48A and between the projection38B and the cutout 48B. As a result, in light of the attachment 40,customers are made aware of the promotion when they are greeted orotherwise interact with employees.

To remove the attachment 40 from the name tag 30, the projections 38Aand 38B are pulled out of the cutouts 48A and 48B, respectively, torelease the friction fits. Once the attachment 40 is removed, the nametag 30 can be worn without any attachment or another attachment can beadded to display new information.

In addition to the preferred embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-8, theadvertising system of the invention can utilize any suitable means andmethods for attaching an attachment to a name tag. For example, theattachment may include projections that correspond to cutouts in thename tag. The present invention also anticipates the use of any number,size, and shape of projections and corresponding cut outs.Alternatively, other means, including magnets, metal snaps, Velcro®, andany combination thereof, may be used to secure the attachment to thename tag. In addition, the attachment can be attached to any surface ofthe name tag, including a front surface.

The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented toillustrate the principles of the invention and not to limit theinvention to the particular embodiments illustrated. It is intended thatthe scope of the invention be defined by all of the embodimentsencompassed within the following claims and their equivalents.

1. A tag for displaying identification information, comprising: a tagportion, including a first surface for displaying information and anattaching means for attaching the tag to clothing; an attachment,including a first surface for displaying information; and a securingmeans for securing said attachment to said tag portion.
 2. The tagaccording to claim 1, wherein said securing means includes at least oneprojection located on said tag portion and at least one cutout locatedon said attachment, said at least one cutout portion having a shape thatcorresponds to a shape of said at least one projection so as to create afriction fit when said at least one projection is received within saidat least one cutout.
 3. The tag according to claim 2, wherein saidattachment includes a second cutout for receiving said attaching meansof said tag portion when said attachment is secured to said tag portion.4. The tag according to claim 2, wherein said at least one projection isintegral to said tag portion.
 5. The tag according to claim 2, whereinsaid at least one projection has an elongated oval shape.
 6. The tagaccording to claim 5, wherein said at least one projection has anelongated oval shape with four lobes.
 7. A system for displayingadditional information on tags, comprising: a tag portion, including afirst surface for displaying information and an attaching means forattaching the tag to clothing; an attachment, including a first surfacefor displaying information; and a securing means for securing saidattachment to said tag portion.
 8. The system according to claim 7,wherein said securing means includes at least one projection located onsaid tag portion and at least one cutout located on said attachment,said at least one cutout portion having a shape that corresponds to ashape of said at least one projection so as to create a friction fitwhen said at least one projection is received within said at least onecutout.
 9. The system according to claim 8, wherein said attachmentincludes a second cutout for receiving said attaching means of said tagportion when said attachment is secured to said tag portion.
 10. Thesystem according to claim 8, wherein said at least one projection isintegral to said tag portion.
 11. The system according to claim 8,wherein said at least one projection has an elongated oval shape. 12.The system according to claim 11, wherein said at least one projectionhas an elongated oval shape with four lobes.
 13. A method of displayingadditional information on tags, comprising: obtaining a tag portion,including a first surface for displaying information and an attachingmeans for attaching the tag to clothing; obtaining an attachment,including a first surface for displaying information; and securing saidattachment to said tag portion via a securing means.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 13, wherein said securing means includes at least oneprojection located on said tag portion and at least one cutout locatedon said attachment, said at least one cutout portion having a shape thatcorresponds to a shape of said at least one projection so as to create afriction fit when said at least one projection is received within saidat least one cutout.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein saidattachment includes a second cutout for receiving said attaching meansof said tag portion when said attachment is secured to said tag portion.16. The method according to claim 14, wherein said at least oneprojection is integral to said tag portion.
 17. The method according toclaim 14, wherein said at least one projection has an elongated ovalshape.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said at least oneprojection has an elongated oval shape with four lobes.